By Adam Donnelly

Dozens camping out in North Kamloops for Youth Homlessness initiative

Dec 15, 2017 | 4:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — With a little chill in the air, and some snow falling from the sky, it’s not likely the time you’d want to sleep outside, but that’s exactly what a number of people are doing tonight. All for a good cause.

From 10:00 pm until 6:00 am around 50 people will be camping out on the North Shore, in support of A Way Home and ending youth homelessness. One of the organizers is Rocky Hunter, who owns the North Shore Dominos Pizza. He says the idea came about as a result of a similar camp out in peace River Alberta, where he owns another Domino’s location.

“Three years later, I’m phoning Katherine up, saying ‘I’d love to sleep out… I’ll donate 1000 pizzas to raise $10,000,” Hunter explained. “Next thing you know we’ve got 50 people coming out and thousands of dollars raised, it’s just amazing.”

Katherine McParland is another organizer and the Youth Homelessness Manager at A Way Home. She says the turnout and support she’s witnessed for the campout event has exceeded her expectations.

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“At first we thought we may have 3 or 4 people, and now we have over 50 coming,” McParland said. “People from Kelowna, Penticton, Surrey, who were all brought together for the same reason: to end youth homelessness in our community.”

McParland says all money raised will go to help fund the A Way Home Safe Suites initiative, which will provide low-barrier housing for youth to get off the street and into a place to live.